Felker ethical complaint filed

A state disciplinary panel Tuesday received a complaint alleging former Topeka Mayor Butch Felker violated the ethical code of conduct for lawyers.

Felker could be sanctioned by the Kansas Supreme Court if a review by the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys finds evidence he broke three rules of professional conduct during his successful race for mayor in 2001. He resigned two years ago amid a scandal over improper campaign donations and an attempt to conceal those contributions.

Felker's campaign finance woes form the basis of the ethics complaint.

"With the filing of this formal complaint, the board will take evidence and hear explanations by the respondent if he has any to make," said Ron Keefover, information officer with the Kansas Supreme Court.

That hearing before the board is scheduled for April 7, Keefover said. The board is responsible for evaluating the evidence and submitting recommendations to the Supreme Court. If board members and justices agree that Felker violated the ethics code, his punishment could range from an informal admonition to disbarment.

Felker was admitted to practice law in Kansas in 1972 but has been on inactive status for 30 years.

The former mayor couldn't be reached Tuesday for comment on the filing by Alexander Walczak, deputy disciplinary administrator.

City Councilman Duane Pomeroy, who served as acting mayor upon Felker's resignation, said he thought Felker had suffered enough.

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"He paid the price of having to step down," Pomeroy said. "I think that there's nothing to be gained by this. I would hope that nothing comes of it."

City Councilwoman Lisa Stubbs, who is a candidate for mayor, said she would leave it to the disciplinary board and Supreme Court to evaluate the merits of the complaint. She said ethical lapses shouldn't be ignored.

"Ethical violations are significant and should be taken seriously," Stubbs said.

Walczak submitted a seven-page complaint to the board that outlined how Felker collected and then attempted to conceal hundreds of dollars in improper campaign contributions. Some of that cash was obtained when three employees of the Topeka Convention and Visitors Bureau filed false travel documents and then donated the excess money to Felker's re-election campaign.

The bureau is a nonprofit corporation financed by the city's guest tax levied on motels and hotels.

In 2002, an investigation by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission resulted in Felker being charged with six violations of the state's campaign finance law. He was ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.

Felker resigned while facing an ouster trial in Shawnee County District Court based on allegations that he violated the campaign reporting statutes. That legal action was brought by Robert Hecht, district attorney.